Pep Opara's Blog

  A London-born Nigerian Hollywood star, Chiwetel Ejiofor, on Friday said he was proud to be identified as a Nigerian.   Mr. Ejiofor said this in Lagos at the premiere of a movie “Half of a Yellow Sun’’ based on a novel written by a Nigerian novelist, Chimamanda Adichie.   He said that there was a wrong impression that he claimed not to be a Nigerian. “During the period of publicising “Twelve Years a Slave”, I was asked where I was originally from. “I suppose I was trying to give an honest answer about where I was born, and so, I said London, which is where I was born.   “And to me, it was a surprising reaction that people then concluded that I didn’t identify as Nigerian. “Of course, I am Nigerian-British, but if they ask me where I was born, I can’t say Enugu, because I wasn’t born in Enugu, but, it doesn’t mean that I don’t identify as Nigerian.   “I am proud of being Nigerian that I am extraordinarily happy to be here to make this film. “We wanted to ma

  The governor’s actions on Tuesday are seen as a cultural and political message meant to emphasise his disdain for the president.   Shortly after President Goodluck Jonathan left Kano after a party rally, the governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, led his state officials to sweep off the president’s footprints in what appears a strong political message that the president and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, are not wanted in the North’s most populous state.   Mr. Kwankwaso posted the picture of his team’s action on Facebook.   The governor and his team jeered at the president as they swept the venue used for the PDP rally with brooms.   The broom is the main symbol of of Mr. Kwankwaso’s party and Nigeria’s largest opposition party, the All Progressives Congress.   The Kano state government belongs to the opposition APC, but his actions are seen as a cultural and political message meant to emphasise his disdain for the president and his party.   In

  NIGERIA : Samantha Lewthwaite, white widow, may be the terror mastermind behind a horrific attack in Abuja, capital of Nigeria yesterday which left 80 dead and hundreds wounded, according to Daily Star, UK based newspaper. Lewthwaite, also known as Sherafiyah Lewthwaite, is the widow of 7/7 suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay and one of the world’s most wanted terrorism suspects. On Monday, a huge explosion ripped through a busy bus station in the capital, Abuja, during the peak rush-hour. The enormous blast destroyed 40 buses and left a sickening trail of death and destruction as fuel tanks on nearby vehicles also exploded amid the heat of the blast.   According to Daily Star, while nobody has officially claimed responsibility, security sources fear the bombing may have been a revenge attack for the death of al-Shabaab terror chief Makaburi, aka Sheikh Abubakar Shariff Ahmed – Lewthwaite’s mentor – just two weeks ago.   Lewthwaite is an alleged member of the Somali ra

  19-year-old Janet and 23-year-old Liatu narrated their ordeals to BBC of how they were abducted by the Islamic sect, Boko haram before they managed to escape through God’s intervention. According the ladies who were in captivity for about 15 days, said they had a marriage proposal from the Boko Haram militants. The ladies claimed that in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, where they were taken to after being seized at a roadblock last year in Chibok, Borno State, they witnessed the killing of 50 persons by the insurgents. They further stated that ladies are used as séx slaves in the jungle and those who refused to allow the sect to make love to them, are killed, outright. Now, with another 200 WAEC female students abducted yesterday by Boko Haram at Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, the fear of the unknown (….) has gripped everyone especially the parents of the young adults.   The female students were abducted in the hall in the course of th

A baby who was born with four hands and four feet has been successfully operated in a hospital in south China’s Guangdong province. According to the chief surgeon at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Centre , he said- “They were supposed to be twins, but one had underdeveloped and became deformed.” he added that youngster had actual normal limbs but it also has an extra pair of arms and legs coming out from his abdomen. The father of the baby, Mr. Chen said;”I have taken my son to different hospitals locally but none have been able to give me reasons for my child’s deformity. He however blamed himself for neglecting his wife during pregnancy period. “I only cared about my work. I just thought of making money instead of taking her to hospital for a medical checkup”. Mr Chad lamented.

Many people including some known church leaders consider him as a fake prophet, at the same time many still consider him a true prophet and believe his prophecies.  It's said he has prophesised a lot that came to pass and be.   The leader of Synagogue church (SCOAN),Prophet T.B Joshua has released a video saying he had warned Nigerians since last year November 10,2013 but they wouldn’t listen. The prophet of God said if not for prayers, it could have been worse. “Listen to me, my people in Nigeria. Once again, take note of this: Our security should be vigilant. I am seeing a very big strike — explosion. They should take care of Abuja — capital. When I talk, you see me in a bad light. But I will keep talking. I don’t need to say the state but I am saying it. This is what I am seeing happen in Abuja, but we will keep praying,” T.B Joshua said.  

  Last week Mathew Knowles homeless, broke and manipulative ex-mistress Alexsandra Wright condition was over the internet and not only that she flaunted her son Nixon as a pointer for the paparazzi as she was evicted and to gain cheap sympathy from the public.   Alexsandra didn't stop at that she called out Beyoncé for ignoring their plight, not giving help to her little step brother and been "too busy" (very sneaky and manipulative right?) but she made a HUGE MISTAKE calling Bey's dad Mathew Knowles "a dead beat" which I guess prompted Bey to post flashback pics of herself and dad.    It's obvious Bey is pissed with Alexsandra for referring to her dad as such, it's a warning......Don't You Mess With My Dad! See pics after the cut..          

  The awesome gospel singer, Ayefele, was shocked when he learnt that fire rocked down his multi-million naira mansion on Tuesday morning at about 6:15 a.m.   The story has twisted for the popular Gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele as his fans fire at him that he deliberately set his own house ablaze. In the early hours of the day, Yinka who has assured his beloved fans that he is fine and that everything is under control got his share of criticism and speculations as many of his fans, using the social media lambasted him that he did mastermind the burning to become more famous and get more patronage from his fans. This is most trending since the cause of the fire is not yet known and Yinka Ayefele just became a household name after he was involved in a mysterious ghastly automobile accident in 1997, which damaged his spinal cord, and paralyzed him from the waist down. Yinka is now one of the most sought after gospel artistes in the country. He was one of the major entert

The police in Kano have arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly killing her husband and two of his friend.   This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the Kano police, Magaji Majiya, on Wednesday.   The incident happened at Gaya Local Government Area of the state, with the police suspecting that the accused teenager poisoned the victims.   According to the police, “The husband took his meal outside and ate it with his 14 friends. “And as a result, the husband and two of his friends died on the spot while 10 others were treated and discharged,’’.   “The husband and two of his friends died on the spot while 10 others were treated and discharged.’’ Although the Nigerian law recognises a 14-year-old as an under-aged, religion and local customs, also recognised by the constitution, allow for such marriages.   Such child marriages are common in the rural areas, particularly among Muslims from the Northern part of Nigeria.

They wanted a nice, clean divorce and even asked fans and concerned close friends to respect their privacy but with the cheating rumours flying in the air, it's going to be a messy divorce suit. According to Radar Online: It may have been a “conscious uncoupling,” but the split between Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin is getting sloppy!  According to an insider, Martin, 37, fears his ex is spreading vicious cheating rumors about him so he will appear “less sympathetic” and Paltrow, 41, plans to take the Coldplay frontman to the cleaners when it comes to squeezing spousal support from him, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.  Together, Paltrow and Martin are worth a mind-blowing $280 million — but the source says the GOOP founder could take Martin for an extra $25 million!  “Gwyneth believes she deserves a settlement of at least a lump sum of $25 million from Chris because he is the breadwinner and their kids will live with her most of the time,” the sourc

  In as much as she's been criticised and hit back for supposedly selling a bleaching cream...which I think she is, according to her she's raking in money as her products sells, getting reviews, been paid for interviews and fame. In-fact her news sells, even Lupita Nyong O and Oprah recognises her.   Meanwhile I don't get her fashion style, what say you?

Khloe Kardashian is back in the dating game and her new man in town is French Motana who she's been seen around with more than a couple of times though both say they aint dating but just friends( they always say that but we know ). It's been reported that close friends and family are afraid she's with the wrong man as Motana isn't any better than Lamar Odom and to confirm this, Montana's angry wifey is spilling details to confirm Khloe deserves better.   Life And Stye Magazine reports:   Khloé Kardashian is moving on from Lamar Odom. Insiders confirm to Life & Style that the reality star has been dating rapper French Montana for a month now. The rapper was trying to shoot a video in LA on March 25 but kept getting distracted by a frisky Khloé. “It was so crazy,” an eyewitness tells Life & Style. “She was kissing his neck and hanging on him.” But French — who is still married! — may be a worse match for Khloé than Lamar was. In an exclusive intervi

                        I feel so sorry for Chris Brown, a good talent just sitting in jail, it's just a pity! Hoping he comes out from this a better person and gets his act well, though some fans can make celebrities go wild.   On Monday, A Superior Court judge Washighton D.C  denied attorneys representing Chris Brown to dismiss a misdemeanour assault case filed against the R&B singer, the judge ruled that the  entertainer and his bodyguard can have separate trials. Via Washington Post reports: The 24-year-old Grammy winner and his bodyguard, Christopher Hollosy, 35, were each charged with one count of misdemeanour assault after an October altercation with a fan outside the W Hotel in downtown Washington.   Brown’s attorneys have said he is innocent and that he and Hollosy were trying to protect Brown and his property. Neither Brown nor Hollosy was in court Monday. Brown, according to a spokesman at the U.S. Marshals Service, was expected to arrive in Washing

  A Catholic priest has committed what Igbo speaking tribe in Nigeria call aluu ! abomination . The priest was caught breaking his vows by stealing from nuns and hitting hard on fellow male....I mean having gay sex!   As my people say in our uncertified lingua franca ...Pidgin English , sin na sin, nothing be small sin or big sin   According to  NY Daily News reports: An Italian priest stole cash from a group of nuns to pay a young Moroccan man for sex, police said.   The holy man, who has not been named, allegedly swiped money entrusted to him by the local convent in Feltre, Belluno. He then reportedly used it to pay his lover — with whom it is believed he had a “long-standing relationship.”   The amount of money he is accused of stealing has not yet been revealed, but some sources suggest it was into the thousands of euros. Il Gazzetino reports that the priest was suspended by the Bishop of Belluno-Feltre for “health reasons.” A “full investigation” into his all

                                  “I can also confirm to you that 15 people are badly injured and about 20 houses were set ablaze,” the police spokesperson said.   According to a report by  NANS ,  The Police Command in Taraba has confirmed that gunmen on Tuesday killed 10 people in Jibu Village in Wukari Local Government Area of the state.   The police spokesperson, Joseph Kwaji, told journalists in Jalingo that the suspected assailants also burnt more than 20 houses.   “‘Yes, I can confirm to you that at about 5 a.m. today, a group of Jukun youth stormed Jibu village, opened fire at the inhabitants and killed 10 people,” he said.   According to him, the suspected gunmen killed every one they saw in the area irrespective of the person’s ethnicity and region, including Jukuns.   “I can also confirm to you that 15 people are badly injured and about 20 houses were set ablaze,” he said.   Mr. Kwaji, however, said that a joint patrol of Mobile police and milit

    Is Nigeria A Poor Country Of Rich Men Or A Rich Country Of Poor Men?.....Sam Nda-Isaiah   About six years ago, a senior political staff of the British High Commission in Nigeria shared a joke he had had with some of his colleagues in London with me. He was in the company of his colleagues from other parts of the world in the UK and they were joking among themselves.   One of them boasted that he was serving in the largest country on earth; another bragged that he was serving in the largest economy in Europe. My friend then proudly proclaimed to his friends that he was serving in Africa’s biggest economy, meaning Nigeria.   When he told me this, I responded straightaway that he was mistaken, as South Africa was officially Africa’s biggest economy by real GDP. But my friend countered me immediately and said that he did not believe the official figures. According to him, the Lagos economy alone was bigger than that of Kenya, East Africa’s biggest economy, and that f

                                 While Fighting APC, Fani-Kayode Holds Secret Meeting With Jonathan!!!   Mr. Fani-Kayode says he has no plan to dump APC now. Time would tell though. What I don't understand is the President receiving someone who is facing serious corrupt charges, a man who seriously insulted the President, using derogatory and embarrassing words, even the First Lady was not spared Kayode's higgi hagga tongue.   According to Premium Times report, President Goodluck Jonathan and a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode met behind closed-doors at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.   The meeting, which was also attended by a man who could not be immediately identified, lasted for about one hour in the president’s office.   Mr. Fani-Kayode, one of Mr. Jonathan fiercest critics, is a member of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria’s main opposition party.   He was minister in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo adm

  The Kardashians are known for loving the spotlight and would do all it takes to be invited to and photographed at crème la crème parties and for love sake and mother of his daughter Kanye West begs his top shot friends to invite a Kardashian clan, Kim Kardashian precisely to such crème parties and show some love to his woman.   Via RadarOnline reports: “Kanye is begging people to invite Kim to events or meetings with the cream of the crop in Hollywood, but so many people are refusing,” a source told Radar. “He’s a serious star that people really respect, especially as a business man, but they want nothing to do with Kim.”    As Radar previously reported, Kardashian, 33, was desperate to go the Vanity Fair Oscar party, but was not invited to the swanky event. “Kim is just not welcome at the same places Kanye is,” the source told Radar. “Another problem is that Kanye is pushing not only for people to accept Kim but her mother Kris [Jenner] too!   That is definitely N

  Any Roman Catholic prelate who missed the message from Pope Francis that he wanted “a church which is poor and for the poor” certainly had to pay attention last month when the Vatican forced the resignation of the bishop of Limburg, Germany, because of his taste for opulent housing worthy of the Holy Roman Empire.   Scandal arose when Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst was discovered spending at least 31 million euros, or nearly $43 million, to renovate his princely home, right down to a new €15,000 bathtub. The Vatican found that the bishop had tried to hide the true costs from his flock, and he was unceremoniously forced to resign for some humbler station.   Though the verdict is still out on Francis’ impact on the hidebound Vatican bureaucracy, which he hopes to reform, he is obviously galvanizing the church laity to complain about the double standards and hypocrisy in the lush lifestyles of their shepherds.    In the United States, Wilton Gregory, the archbishop

    What a shame! Evil murderous father killed daughter to hurt mother who broke up their engagement due to irreconcilable differences, the heart-breaking side of this story is...he's not remorseful but winks and smiles when found guilty.   Via NYDailyNews : A man who tossed his 2-year-old daughter into a creek while she was still strapped into her car seat was convicted Thursday of her murder and smirked as he was led out of court in handcuffs to spend what will probably be the rest of his life behind bars.    Jurors found Arthur Morgan III guilty of killing Tierra Morgan-Glover, whose body was pulled from a creek in a park near the Jersey shore in November 2011.   They also found him guilty of child endangerment and interference with custody. Because the jurors determined that Morgan’s actions were “knowing or purposeful,” the 29-year-old is likely to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors had said he killed Tierra to

No day passes by in Nigeria without bad news been reported in media, not quite long a ritual house/place was uncovered in Ibadan-Oyo State  'Ibadan Ritual House of Horror', Baby factory home in Aba,  Mad man caught with human parts for sale in Ogun State, Boko Haram bombs church, Fulani Herdsmen kills hundreds, Pastor rapes child, Politician steals billion naira, nation's money missing and little boy's private parts cut out for ritual purposes ....I can go on and just yesterday another baby factory was uncovered in Ogun State, Nigeria.   According to a  Punch report, there was pandemonium in the Akinremi Estate, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday after some youths discovered a baby factory around Vulcaniser Bus Stop.   The incident comes barely two weeks after eight women were rescued from a baby factory in the Akute area of the state.   Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Metro that the youths, who thought the building was a ritual killers’ den broke into

  Lupita Nyong’o has been making headlines, getting accolades and cover face of prestigious magazines non-stop for the last year and it gets better, very soon we would her face splashed boldly on billboards across the globe and popular beauty products....yes! she's got an endorsement deal with Lancôme and would be recognised as  Lancôme's spokesperson. Congrats girl!    via USA Today :   And her already amazing year just keeps getting bigger and bigger and better. At the very least, more lucrative. Best supporting actress winner Lupita Nyong’o, who gave a heartfelt speech after winning the Oscar for 12 Years a Slave, joins the ranks of Kate Winslet and Julia Roberts as one of Lancome’s ambassadors. Ads will start appearing in September.    “I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved.    I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be d

  Four suspected terrorists believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road have died in their IED-laden vehicles, the defence headquarters has said.   The Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade, said the explosions took place at Mulai in the outskirt of Maiduguri.   Mr. Olukolade, a Major General, said three of the four explosive-laden vehicles were demobilized by shots fired at them by soldiers at the check point shortly before the explosions that rocked the area. Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined, Mr. Olukolade said.   Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reporter in Maiduguri had reported multiple blasts from improvised explosives devices in Mulai.   The blasts, he said, occurred at about 2 p.m on Tuesday at a suburb community of Maiduguri called Mulai, located near a Radio station, Peace FM.   The extent of the damage could not be ascertained immediately, bu

  A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja and presided by Justice Kudirat Jose has turned down the bail request of Fred Ajudua, alleged 419 kingpin.   Justice Jose said that Mr. Ajudua’s antecedents – accusations of jumping bail in 2006 and tampering with evidence – were responsible for the denial of his bail application.   The judge also stated that Mr. Ajudua’s poor health condition could be met while in detention and fixed April 28th and 29th for continuation of trial.   Mr. Ajudua is being tried in separate courts for two different court cases;   In one of the cases, he is being tried for allegedly defrauding a Dutch businessman of $1.69 million (N270 million).  In another, he is being tried for defrauding Nigeria’s ex-Army chief, Ishaya Bamaiyi, of $6 million (N960 million).    

  Omo mehn ! Looking at that hot bod am going to look for my Medieval Epic movie to see again....' 300' precisely.**Giggles**.  Gerard Butler flashed body on Sydney's Bondi Beach yesterday looking ready to do battle with Xerxes again or go for a Trojan Battle, just give him a sword and armour.

Bayern and Man Utd in 2013-14   Guardiola                                                     Moyes 43 Played                                      47 36 Won 26 2 Lost 13 5 Draws 8 84 Win % 55 Bundesliga champions, Uefa Super Cup & Fifa Club World Cup Honours Community Shield Manchester United play host to holders Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.   Halting the Bayern juggernaut will be no easy task, but United have left themselves with little margin for error and will once again be calling upon the spirit of 1999 to conjure up a European fairytale. It's going to be one interesting game for soccer fans. Man Utd Last 6 Game 4-1 0-3 0-2 3-0 0-3 0-3       Manchester United right-back Rafael (hamstring) missed training on Monday morning and is a doubt for midweek duty.   Alex Buttner (hamstring), Jonny Evans (cal

  Rihanna Not Interested In A Tyler Perry Film Role After Whitney Houston Warned Her His Movies Are For Has-Beens. star   According to  RadarOnline reports:   Rihanna is plotting her next movie role but is avoiding director Tyler Perry, who wants the singer to star in one of his romantic comedies, RadarOnline.com has learned.   And a big reason why is that the late Whitney Houston once warned her that Perry’s films were for African-American has-beens! a source told Radar.    “Although Tyler has been courting Rihanna for a year and a half, hoping to build a movie around her, she has rejected the idea,” a source close to the star’s business affairs told RadarOnline.com. “Rihanna has pointedly avoided meeting with him!”   According to the source, before Houston’s tragic death in 2012, Rihanna, 26, met her at a party and got her take on Perry’s movies, which include the Madea series, Why Did I Get Married? and the recent Single Moms Club.    “Whitney put her o